BJJ in Mesa

Mesa is the no-gi capital of the Phoenix metro, anchored by 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Phoenix at 50 N Stapley Dr — one of Eddie Bravo's most praised satellites in the Southwest. Head instructor John Botello holds a black belt under Bravo himself, with Bravo publicly calling him "one of my most technical instructors" who "knows the intricacies of the 10th Planet System like a true master." Botello also promoted Steeyle Levine (10th Planet Scottsdale) to black belt, making the Mesa gym the upstream school for 10th Planet's Arizona lineage tree. The gym is strictly No-Gi, runs open mat every Saturday, and offers both contracted and month-to-month memberships.

Mesa's BJJ scene beyond 10th Planet is notably diverse in lineage. Carlos Farias Jiu Jitsu Academy is led by Professor Carlos Eduardo Farias, a 3rd-degree black belt ranked #6 in the world in adult IBJJF rankings with 30+ years of experience and lineage running through Roberto "Spider" Traven. Maracaba BJJ brings a Brazilian-born instructor in Andre Maracaba (black belt under Regis Lebre) with a deep judo background — the academy has been on the Mesa mats since 2017. Phantom BJJ Arizona is led by Jay McMeel, a 2nd-degree black belt with 30+ years of coaching experience. Flow MMA Academy is run by husband-and-wife team Deric and Lindsey, both black belts with professional MMA records (Lindsey has fought in Bellator, Rizin, and Invicta FC). Spartan Nation Combatives rounds out the Mesa scene with an MMA focus under founder Daniel Huber. Expect $120–$160/mo for adult BJJ memberships across Mesa's independents.